This paper presents and interprets descriptive statistics generated from data obtained in a survey of clients of five microfinance organizations believed to be among the best in Bolivia. These lenders represent different combinations of organizational design, lending technology, and market area...

We construct a theoretical framework that puts the social worth of a microfinance organization (MFO) in terms of the depth, worth to users, cost to users, breadth, length, and scope of its output. We then analyze evidence of depth of outreach for five MFOs in Bolivia. Most of the poor households...

This paper focuses on the difficulties inherent in the prudent management of growth of microfinance organizations and on potential limits to the increased efficiency, profitability, and sustainability expected from growth and large size. The paper addresses both positive and negative...

This paper focuses on the difficulties inherent in the prudent management of growth of microfinance organizations and on potential limits to the increased efficiency, profitability, and sustainability expected from growth and large size. The paper addresses both positive and negative...

Bolivia has the most advanced microfinance sector in Latin America and has been a model worldwide. Apex banks�banks that lend to banks�have not been responsible for this success. Apex banks can provide funds for retail microfinance organizations, and/or strengthen their organizational...

The purpose of this report is to review common credit risk management techniques used in a sample of Latin American financial institutions with agricultural portfolios, identify the factors that contribute to successful credit risk management as measured by several key financial performance...

En años recientes la participación de las microfinanzas en los sistemas financieros formales de América Latina y el Caribe se ha incrementado notablemente. En la actualidad existe una marcada ausencia de análisis cuantitativos del nivel de riesgo y retorno que enfrentan las instituciones de...

El objetivo del presente informe es examinar las técnicas comunes de manejo de riesgos usadas en una muestra de instituciones financieras de América Latina con carteras agropecuarias e identificar los factores que contribuyen al manejo efectivo del riesgo crediticio. En este informe se...

In recent years, microfinance has greatly expanded the outreach of the financial system to millions of households in the Latin American and Caribbean region. The purpose of this report is to offer an updated snapshot of access to financial services in the region. The approach is two-fold. In the...

This book reviews the theory and practice of rural finance in the Latin American and Caribbean region. It explains why rural financial markets function the way they do and what changes would be needed to make improvements. It also provides an in-depth assessment of the policy and institutional...